Saudi King In Spain For Interfaith Conference

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia arrived in Spain today for the opening of an interfaith conference set for Wednesday, July 16th. The conference will include leaders and representatives from all religions in the world, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity – as well as Buddhism and other faiths

Spanish King Juan Carlos was on hand to greet the Saudi King. Both Juan Carlos and Spanish Prime Minister are expected to open the conference tomorrow, along with King Abdullah. Other than that, the conference would be closed to the media.

It is believed Spain was chosen for the site because of its historical symbolism as a place where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in peace under Islamic rule between the 8th and 13th centuries. In addition, Saudi Arabia is the location of two of the most holiest sites in Islam – and having non-Muslims present in the country may upset some of the more conservative clerics of Saudi Arabia – which adheres to Wahabbi Islam, the most strictest form of the religion.

The event will take place against a backdrop of tensions between the Islamic world and the West. They range from restrictions on the use of the veil by Muslim women in some European countries to cartoons regarded as blasphemous by Muslims and the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080715/wl_mideast_afp/spainsaudireligion